Aswan

The days are getting hotter, so the swimming pools and a/c rooms in Aswan are much appreciated! For a few of us, this is a return trip to Aswan – Paul surprised to find he was staying in the same hotel as his previous visit! Just a morning’s drive from Luxor to Aswan, so there was still time for afternoon ‘activities’.

Escaping from the heat in the roof top pool

Aswan is smaller and seems more laid back than Luxor, a nice place to explore the souq or stroll on the banks of the Nile (when the day starts to cool down). A bunch of us got on a motorboat, up the first cataract, and settled on a beach on the west bank and had our first Nile swim of the trip – much needed and so refreshing. So were the Stella beers that the boat-driver produced... We then continued up the river to a colourful Nubian village. Many of the Nubian settlements had to be relocated with the building of the High Dam and Lake Nasser. Traditionally, Nubian colours are blue, green and yellow/orange. The houses are built and painted in such a way as to be able to vary the temperature of the building according to the season (vents in the roof, cool/warm colours, and open plan). We were shown how the Nubians live and told about their customs, and also had the opportunity to hear some more about the ‘revolution’ that has been happening in Egypt . The Egyptians all refer to the events of earlier this year as ‘the revolution’. We were served a delicious meal afterwards, followed by the trip back down the Nile in the dark, star-gazing (or sleeping) on the deck. So peaceful. And no, I’m not writing a brochure, it really was so!

Nubian museum

On the Nile

Colleen in the Nile

Post-swim beers

Inside a traditional Nubian house, with our host, Mohammed 

Traditional house

This morning saw a few brave ones up for another 4am start to visit Abu Simbel. You have to leave early as all vehicles have to go in a police convoy, which is at this time. Abu Simbel must be one of the most remarkable temples in Egypt, and the fact that it was moved back and pieced together when the dam was built, makes it even more remarkable (not to mention the mathematical calculations in order to align the temple).

Ramses II temple, Abu Simbel

Caolan, walking like an Egyptian

The temples of Abu Simbel

A sunset felucca trip was planned for later, swimming off the boat, around Elephantine Island, with Caolan tacking us back in to shore.

Now time to get ready for our journey up Lake Nasser, to Wadi Halfa in Sudan. Athena has already boarded the barge. Watch this space – think there will be much to write about this marathon of a boat trip!